[POJO] What do you like best about the PokeMon TCG?
[SG] Well, I would have the say the strategy aspect of it, both before and during the game. I will spend a lot more time than I would like to care to admit planning the decks I run at the tournament. I'll even admit that a lot of times I don't run the deck that I think is the best out there. I like to metagame my tournament environment as best I can. If the best players are playing a certain type of deck, I often will try to build a deck that can beat those players and their decks, and then hope that my play ability can get me through the other players. During the match, just trying to think ahead of my opponent by a couple of turns and know exactly when I'm going to play things, as well as anticipate my opponents next move. I've been told I look like I'm in pain sometimes when I play. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

[POJO] What do you dislike about the PokeMon TCG?
[SG] The fact that it has been stereotyped as a kids game. Yes, the concept of Pokemon was created for a younger audience, but that is not why I play the game. I like the concepts behind the game very much, and feel the advanced strategy of it is so deep that your more mature players will more often than not defeat the less mature ones just because their brains are move developed to handle the
truly deep level of skill it takes to play the game at the top tier. I would be very happy to see some of the people who are my age that ridicule older players to try to pick it up and see how they fare. I think a lot of people are scared by the Pokemon concept and are not willing to look into the game mechanics.

[POJO] Do you find casual play or organized competition to be more fun? Why?
[SG] Far and away, organized competition. I am a true-to-the-bone competitor. If there is nothing to win, and nothing to gain, then I'm not having as much fun. I like winning, and I like striving to be the best. Casual play is okay, but there is nothing like looking at a 16-man single elimination bracket and knowing it a "you win and you go on, you lose and you go home" situation. That is the type of stress I thrive on.

[POJO] Where do you usually play?
[SG] Rama Llama Comics in Plano, TX

[POJO] How often do you participate in organized tournaments?
[SG] On the average, once a week. Sometimes I skip a week, and sometimes I make 2 in one weekend, but it averages to one a week.

[POJO] What was you most thrilling victory?
[SG] You know, I have a really hard time remembering these. I would have to say it was a tournament back in August. I was 6-0-1, as was David "Chipmunk" Eckhard. Our draw was a time limit draw to each other. Ninety-eight people started that tournament, and at the end of regulation, there was no victor. I was time for sudden death. To date, Chipmunk had never been beaten in a tournament - my draw was the closest he had even come to losing. It was my Potpourri against his Wigglytuff deck. I will spare the details of the match, except I got an excellent jump on him, scored a couple quick prizes, and held on for the win. It felt good to once again confirm my little spot as the top dog in town when the new dog came in.

[POJO] What was your most crushing defeat?
[SG] Well, we'll stay on Chipmunk here, and we'll even talk about the very last sanctioned match I played. Chipmunk and I have developed quite a rivalry. To this point, I like the lifetime records were something like 4-2 or 5-3 or something like that. It was close, but in my favor by a couple games. I give him respect, though. I am a very brash and bold individual. Now, I don't admit this to anyone but myself and on the occassional questionaire, but I expect to win every match I play. Honestly speaking, there are only three people period that I do not expect to win against. The first is Gordon Kane. Now this is a little touchy because I hold the lifetime record against Gordon by a fairly large margin. It's some atrociously non-representative number like 15-4 or something along those lines. The problem is, Gordon can and will make me pay for any mistakes I make. If I'm on top of my game, I will usually beat him. If I'm not though, he can easily slip victory away from me. The next is Israel "Shaggy" Quiroz. I won't go into too much detail except to say that Israel is as meticulous as I am, and seldom screws up. Our matches are always good. Finally, is Chipmunk. This guy has an ego that rivals even mine, and he deserves it to a point. I still think I'm a little better than he is, but I never sell him short. Our matches are always decided by one mistake - whoever makes it, loses. Anyway, on to the defeat...

Chipmunk is riding a 29-game unbeaten streak in tournaments. Mind you, only 5 in sanctioned, but it's still impressive. I am riding an 11-game unbeaten streak in sanctioned tournaments. We meet in the finals, and something has to give. It's his fire/electric against my fossil Potpourri. Best two-of-three, and I get game one. Boy and I evertalking it up at this point. I figure I am the one to snap his streak and ego in half. Well, not today. After I lost to Gordon game one of the semis, then came back to win two and three, Chipmunk did the same thing against me. It was quite crushing to the ego - I lost the battle of the Titans. I'll rebound, but it was truely a devastating loss - one I kinda hope Chippy never catches too much wind of. *grin*

[POJO] Who is your toughest competition? Why?
[SG] Until proven otherwise, if I had to choose, I would say it's Chipmunk. He's good, straight up.

[POJO] What is your favorite card? Why?
[SG] I have so many. I used to be a huge fan of Farfetch'd (that was the first episode of the TV show I ever saw), but then Scyther came out. I think the best basic right now is Electabuzz - he's just amazing for his cost. The most versatile basic is Scyther. He's just great overall. Trainerwise it would have to be Item Finder because I love reusing stuff. I think Oak and Bill are better, but is that the question? *smile*

[POJO] What kind of deck to you dread having to play against?
[SG] Rain Dance. Why? Because it can get lucky and win. I can out skill most any other deck, but I can't always outluck a rain dance.

[POJO] What does it mean to you to be ranked as one of the best Pokemon TCG players in the world?
[SG] *shrug* It's nice. I like the recognition. I'd be lying if I said I didn't. It's a cool conversation piece when I'm looking for something to talk about. *laugh* I don't know - I like it obviously, but it's not the end of the world if I wasn't - it would just seem like it for a while. *lol*

[POJO] Do you play the Pokemon video game?
[SG] Yeah - rented and "beat" Snap. I have a Gameboy with Red and Yellow, as well as Pinball and the Japanese card game. I've loved video games all my life, so it's natural for me to like the Pokemon video games.

[POJO] Do you watch the Pokemon Animated Series?
[SG] Yep. Sure do. Sometimes I think I can relate a little too well to Brock; more so than I'd like to admit.

[POJO] Do you have a collection of Pokemon toys?
[SG] Kinda. I can not justify paying cash for Pokemon toys - that is what store credit is for. *smile* I have a couple of small plush toys, a couple of the wind-up ones, a couple key chains, and a figurine or two. Not a whole lot, but some.